WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1923

Notary Public - As introduced, requires the secretary of state to appoint notaries public to commissions in this state; prescribes additional requirements to be commissioned as a notary public in this state. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 16 and Title 23.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Carringer

HB 1923 centralizes notary public appointments under Tennessee's Secretary of State and increases qualification requirements for commission eligibility.

Action Def. in s/c Civil Justice Subcommittee to Special Calendar for 3/18/2026
#notarypublic
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1923

Legislative bill overview

HB 1923 would centralize notary public appointments under Tennessee's Secretary of State and impose additional qualification requirements for individuals seeking notary commissions. The bill amends existing notary public laws in Tennessee's legal code to modify both the appointment process and eligibility standards.

Why is this important

Notaries public serve a critical function in validating signatures and documents for legal, financial, and government transactions. Changes to how they are appointed and qualified can affect accessibility to notarial services across the state and the consistency of professional standards in document authentication.

Potential points of contention

  • Centralization vs. local control: Consolidating appointment authority in the Secretary of State's office may reduce local court influence in notary selection, raising questions about whether this improves or diminishes community-level oversight
  • Additional requirements burden: New qualification standards could restrict the pool of available notaries, potentially limiting access to notarial services in rural or underserved areas, or conversely, could improve professional standards depending on what those requirements entail
  • Implementation costs and timeline: Transferring existing notary commissions to a state-level system may create administrative burden and expense, with unclear details on transition procedures or funding mechanisms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.